Kreider, Shannon among U.S. National Team picks

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey has announced the first 16 players that will compete for the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team at the IIHF World Men's Championship April 29 to May 15 in Slovakia.

The group includes two goaltenders, four defensemen and 10 forwards, and features 14 players from the National Hockey League. Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College) is the only returnee from the U.S. squad that competed at the 2010 World Men's Championship in Cologne and Mannheim, Germany.